A High Court in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a 51-year-old man, Owoeye Ojo, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of armed robbery and attempted murder.
Ojo was brought before the court on August 25, 2023, facing four charges related to violent crimes, including robbing and trying to kill two women Funmilayo Adeyemi and Omolola Adesola.
According to the case file, the incident took place on May 21, 2023, at Oluwole Orungbe Street in Ado-Ekiti, where Ojo and accomplices armed with firearms, axes, and machetes invaded the victims’ residence.
Adeyemi was dispossessed of her handbag containing cash and a mobile phone, collectively valued at N85,000.
Additionally, a separate robbery occurred on May 12, 2023, in Ilokun, Ado-Ekiti. Ojo and his gang reportedly stormed Adesola’s home and made away with electronic devices and N10,000 in cash.
The crimes were found to be in violation of Sections 314, 312(2)(b), 241, and 312(a) of the Ekiti State Criminal Laws, enacted in 2021.
During her testimony, Adesola recounted how she encountered the attackers as she was locking her door around 8:00 p.m.
She described how she and her children were held at gunpoint and forced to surrender valuables estimated at N710,000. She later recognized Ojo among the suspects detained by the police.
Prosecutor Florence Ajumobi presented four witnesses and crucial evidence, including a gun, live ammunition, the defendant’s statement, and photographs of the victims. Ojo’s defence, led by lawyer Lawrence Fasanmi, failed to produce any witnesses.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who delivered the verdict, ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and declared Ojo guilty as charged.
He pronounced the death sentence by hanging, concluding with a prayer for mercy on the convict’s soul.
